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December 14, 2010

Death of Richard Holbrooke: Pakistan Loses A Good Friend

By Muhammad Khurshid

There will be no denying the fact the death of US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan has saddened many in Pakistan and Afghanistan as he was the real friend of peace.

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The death of US Special Envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke will be a severe blow to peace efforts in this region. There will be no denying the fact that Richard Holbrooke has been appointed by US Barack Obama as special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan at very difficult time. Through his successful diplomacy he brought change in the attitude of the people.

President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has also expressed his grief over the death of US envoy saying that the deceased was the personal their personal friend. People of tribal areas situated on Pak-Afghan border have also expressed sorrow over the death of US envoy. They think US President Barack Obama will choose another honest man for dealing situation in Pakistan.

Longtime U.S. diplomat Richard C. Holbrooke, whose relentless prodding and deft maneuvering yielded the 1995 Dayton peace accords that ended the war in Bosnia - a success he hoped to repeat as President Obama's chief envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan - died Monday in Washington of complications from surgery to repair a torn aorta. He was 69.

A foreign policy adviser to four Democratic presidents, Mr. Holbrooke was a towering, one-of-a-kind presence who helped define American national security strategy over 40 years and three wars by connecting Washington politicians with New York elites and influential figures in capitals worldwide. He seemed to live on airplanes and move with equal confidence through Upper East Side cocktail parties, the halls of the White House and the slums of Pakistan.

Obama praised him as "a true giant of American foreign policy who has made America stronger, safer and more respected. He was a truly unique figure who will be remembered for his tireless diplomacy, love of country, and pursuit of peace."

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said in a statement that the United States "has lost one of its fiercest champions and most dedicated public servants."

The death could have a profound impact on the administration's efforts to implement aspects of its strategy for the war in Afghanistan, which relies not just on military gains but development assistance and diplomatic initiatives with the governments in Kabul and neighboring Pakistan that had been his principal focus.



Authors Website: https://voiceforpeace.wordpress.com/

Authors Bio:

Muhammad Khurshid, a resident of Bajaur District, tribal areas situated on Pak-Afghan border is journalist by profession. He contributes articles and news stories to various online and print newspapers. His subject matter is terrorism. He is also heading Voice For Peace working against terrorism in tribal areas. The aim of the Voice For Peace is restoration of peace in Bajaur Agency, tribal areas and whole world. He is looking for freelance and correspondent work from media organizations, to cover the part of the world where Al Qaeda and the Taliban are most active.


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